• Title/Summary/Keyword: Nuclear medicine radiation workers

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Review of Shielding Evaluation Methodology for Facilities Using kV Energy Radiation Generating Devices Based on the NCRP-49 Report

  • Na Hye Kwon;Hye Sung Park;Taehwan Kim;Sang Rok Kim;Kum Bae Kim;Jin Sung Kim;Sang Hyoun Choi;Dong Wook Kim
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.53-62
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    • 2022
  • In this study, we have investigated the shielding evaluation methodology for facilities using kV energy generators. We have collected and analysis of safety evaluation criteria and methodology for overseas facilities using radiation generators. And we investigated the current status of shielding evaluation of domestic industrial radiation generators. According to the statistical data from the Radiation Safety Information System, as of 2022, a total of 7,679 organizations are using radiation generating devices. Among them, 6,299 facilities use these devices for industrial purposes, which accounts for a considerable portion of radiation. The organizations that use these devices evaluate whether the exposure dose for workers and frequent visitors is suitable as per the limit regulated by the Nuclear Safety Act. Moreover, during this process, the safety shields are evaluated at the facilities that use the radiation generating devices. However, the facilities that use radiating devices having energy less than or equal to 6 MV for industrial purposes are still mostly evaluated and analyzed according to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements 49 (NCRP 49) report published in 1976. We have investigated the technical standards of safety management, including the maximum permissible dose and parameters assessment criteria for facilities using radiation generating devices, based on the NCRP 49 and the American National Standards Institute/Health Physics Society N.43.3 reports, which are the representative reports related to radiation shielding management cases overseas.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Fatty Liver among Industrial Male Workers (산업장 남성 근로자의 지방간 유병율 및 위험요인 연구)

  • Paek, Yun-Mi;Choi, Tae-In;Kim, Yun-Jeong;Choi, Eun-Ok
    • The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.141-146
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    • 2007
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence rate, and related factors,of fatty liver in male industrial workers. Method: Fatty liver was diagnosed using ultrasonography. The data for abdominal ultrasonography, BMI, smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, liver enzymes, and lipid profiles were collected in 4,604 male who were examined with a health screening program in 2005. Prevalence rate and associated factors of fatty liver were analyzed using SPSS v. 12.0. Results: Overall prevalence of fatty liver was 34.1% and higher in the 30-39 year male group. Age, body mass index(BMI), hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, HDL cholesterol, r-GTP level were independently associated factors with presence of fatty liver in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The prevalence of fatty liver and tendency of associated factors were similar to those in the western world. To prevent development of this hepatic disorder, which may result in end-stage liver disease, risk factors such as obesity and dyslipidemia must be monitored and controlled within normal levels. The results of this study suggested maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and behavioral change, as fundamental rehabilitation nursing implications.

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A Consideration of Apron's Shielding in Nuclear Medicine Working Environment (PET검사 작업환경에 있어서 APRON의 방어에 대한 고찰)

  • Lee, Seong-wook;Kim, Seung-hyun;Ji, Bong-geun;Lee, Dong-wook;Kim, Jeong-soo;Kim, Gyeong-mok;Jang, Young-do;Bang, Chan-seok;Baek, Jong-hoon;Lee, In-soo
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.110-114
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: The advancement in PET/CT test devices has decreased the test time and popularized the test, and PET/CT tests have continuously increased. However, this increases the exposure dose of radiation workers, too. This study aims to measure the radiation shielding rate of $^{18}F-FDG$ with a strong energy and the shielding effect when worker wore an apron during the PET/CT test. Also, this study compared the shielding rate with $^{99m}TC$ to minimize the exposure dose of radiation workers. Materials and Methods: This study targeted 10 patients who visited in this hospital for the PET/CT test for 8 days from May 2nd to 10th 2013, and the $^{18}F-FDG$ distribution room, patient relaxing room (stand by room after $^{18}F-FDG$ injection) and PET/CT test room were chosen as measuring spots. Then, the changes in the dose rate were measured before and after the application of the APRON. For an accurate measurement, the distance from patients or sources was fixed at 1M. Also, the same method applied to $^{99m}TC's$ Source in order to compare the reduction in the dose by the Apron. Results: 1) When there was only L-block in the $^{18}F-FDG$ distribution room, the average dose rate was $0.32{\mu}Sv$, and in the case of L-blockK+ apron, it was $0.23{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between the two cases were respectively, $0.09{\mu}Sv$ and 26%. 2) When there was no apron in the relaxing room, the average dose rate was $33.1{\mu}Sv$, and when there was an apron, it was $22.3{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between them were respectively, $10.8{\mu}Sv$ and 33%. 3) When there was no APRON in the PET/CT room, the average dose rate was $6.9{\mu}Sv$, and there was an APRON, it was $5.5{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between them were respectively, $1.4{\mu}Sv$ and 25%. 4) When there was no apron, the average dose rate of $^{99m}TC$ was $23.7{\mu}Sv$, and when there was an apron, it was $5.5{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between them were respectively, $18.2{\mu}Sv$ and 77%. Conclusion: According to the result of the experiment, $^{99m}TC$ injected into patients showed an average shielding rate of 77%, and $^{18F}FDG$ showed a relatively low shielding rate of 27%. When comparing the sources only, $^{18F}FDG$ showed a shielding rate of 17%, and $^{99m}TC$'s was 77%. Though it had a lower shielding effect than $^{99m}TC$, $^{18}F-FDG$ also had a shielding effect on the apron. Therefore, it is considered that wearing an apron appropriate for high energy like $^{18}F-FDG$ would minimize the exposure dose of radiation workers.

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Scattering Measurement of Syringe Shield Used in PET/CT (PET/CT실에서 사용되는 주사기 차폐체의 산란선 측정)

  • Jang, Dong-Gun;Park, Cheol-Woo;Park, Eun-Tae
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.43 no.5
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    • pp.375-382
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    • 2020
  • PET/CT is a medical equipment that detects 0.511 MeV of gamma rays. The radiation workers are inevitably exposed to ionizing radiation in the process of handling the isotope. Accordingly, PET/CT workers use syringe shields made of lead and tungsten to protect their hands. However, lead and tungsten are known to generate very high scattering particles by interacting with gamma rays. Therefore, in this study, we tried to find out the effect on the scattering particles emitted from the syringe shield. In the experiment, first, the exposure dose to the hand (Rod phantom) was evaluated according to the metal material (lead, tungsten, iron, stainless steel) using Monte Carlo simulation. The exposure dose was compared according to whether or not plastic is attached. Second, the exposure dose of scattering particles was measured using a dosimeter and lead. As a result of the experiment, the shielding rate of plastics using the Monte Carlo simulation showed the largest difference in dose of about 40 % in lead, and the lowest in iron, about 15 %. As a result of the dosimeter test, when the plastic tape was wound on lead, it was found that the reduction rate was about 15 %, 28 %, and 39 % depending on the thickness. Based on the above results, it was found that 0.511 MeV of gamma ray interacts with the shielding tool to emit scattered rays and has a very large effect on radiation exposure. However, it was considered that the scattering particles could be sufficiently removed with plastics with a low atomic number. From now on, when using high-energy radiation, the shielding tool and the skin should not be in direct contact, and should be covered with a material with a low atomic number.

The Analysis of Radiation Exposure of Hospital Radiation Workers (병원 방사선 작업 종사자의 방사선 피폭 분석 현황)

  • Jeong Tae Sik;Shin Byung Chul;Moon Chang Woo;Cho Yeong Duk;Lee Yong Hwan;Yum Ha Yong
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.157-166
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    • 2000
  • Purpose : This investigation was peformed in order to improve the health care of radiation workers, to predict a risk, to minimize the radiation exposure hazard to them and for them to realize radiation exposure danger when they work in radiation area in hospital. Methods and Materials : The documentations checked regularly for personal radiation exposure in four university hospitals in Pusan city in Korea between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1997 were analyzed. There were 458 persons in this documented but 111 persons who worked less then one year were excluded and only 347 persons were included in this study. Results : The average of yearly radiation exposure of 347 persons was 1.52$\pm$1.35 mSv. Though it was less than 50mSv, the limitaion of radiation in law but 125 (36%) people received higher radiation exposure than non-radiation workers. Radiation workers under 30 year old have received radiation exposure of mean 1.87$\pm$1.01 mSv/year, mean 1.22$\pm$0.69 mSv between 31 and 40 year old and mean 0.97$\pm$0.43 mSv/year over 41year old (p<0.001). Men received mean 1.67$\pm$1.54 mSv/year were higher than women who received mean 1.13$\pm$0.61 mSv/year (p<0.01). Radiation exposure in the department of nuclear modicine department in spite of low energy sources is higher than other departments that use radiations in hospital (p<0.05). And the workers who received mean 3.59$\pm$1.81 msv/year in parts of management of radiation sources and injection of sources to patient receive high radiation exposure in nuclear medicine department (p<0.01). In department of diagnostic radiology high radiation exposure is in barium enema rooms where workers received mean 3.74$\pm$1.74 mSv/year and other parts where they all use fluoroscopy such as angiography room of mean 1.17$\pm$0.35 mSv/year and upper gastrointestinal room of mean 1.74$\pm$1.34 mSv/year represented higher radiation exposure than average radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology (p<0.01). Doctors and radiation technologists received higher radiation exposure of each mean 1.75$\pm$1.17 mSv/year and mean 1.50$\pm$1.39 mSv/year than other people who work in radiation area in hospital (p<0.05). Especially young doctors and technologists have the high opportunity to receive higher radiation exposure. Conclusions : The training and education of radiation workers for radiation exposure risks are important and it is necessary to rotate worker in short period in high risk area. The hospital management has to concern health of radiation workers more and to put an effort to reduce radiation exposure as low as possible in radiation areas in hospital.

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Measurement of the Spatial Dose Rate for Distribution Room in Department of Nuclear Medicine (핵의학과 분배실 내의 공간선량률 측정)

  • Park, Jeong-Kyu;Cho, Euy-Hyun
    • Journal of Digital Contents Society
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.151-157
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    • 2012
  • Even though the protective facility is well made with the development of medicine, the spatial dose within the radiation section could increase the exposure of the workers. The spatial dose is always present in distribution room within the Department of Nuclear Medicine, so the spatial dose of the interior distribution room is measured and analyzed for the prediction of the exposure dose. The spatial dose rate was $6.78{\pm}0.083{\mu}Sv/h$ in the $^{18}F$ distribution room of department of Nuclear Medicine, $9.248{\pm}0.013{\mu}Sv/h$ in $^{99m}Tc$, and $^{131}I$ distribution room. In addition, in case of $^{18}F$ distribution room, the yearly external exposure dose was $42.5{\mu}Sv$ when the nurse does IV in 1m in distance. It also showed that the spatial dose rate on the direction of right oblique showed higher than others by the standard of distribution window of distribution room. Therefore, the staying time of the workers should be short during distributing radiopharmaceuticals in the distribution room and the design of the distribution protection is necessary to reduce the exposure in the direction of right oblique of the protection. The utmost endeavors are required to reduce the worker's individual exposure dose while doing IV.

Organ Dose Assessment of Nuclear Medicine Practitioners Using L-Block Shielding Device for Handling Diagnostic Radioisotopes (진단용 방사성동위원소 취급 시 L-block 차폐기구 사용에 따른 핵의학 종사자의 장기 선량평가)

  • Kang, Se-Sik;Cho, Yong-In;Kim, Jung-Hoon
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.40 no.1
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    • pp.49-55
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    • 2017
  • In the case of nuclear medicine practitioners in medical institutions, a wide range of exposure dose to individual workers can be found, depending on the type of source, the amount of radioactivity, and the use of shielding devices in handling radioactive isotopes. In this regard, this study evaluated the organ dose on practitioners as well as the dose reduction effect of the L-block shielding device in handling the diagnostic radiation source through the simulation based on the Monte Carlo method. As a result, the distribution of organ dose was found to be higher as the position of the radiation source was closer to the handling position of a practitioner, and the effective dose distribution was different according to the ICRP tissue weight. Furthermore, the dose reduction effect according to the L-block thickness tended to decrease, which showed the exponential distribution, as the shielding thickness increased. The dose reduction effect according to each radiation source showed a low shielding effect in proportion to the emitted gamma ray energy level.

Comparison of the Equivalent Dose of the Lens Part and the Effective Dose of the Chest in the PET/CT Radiation Workers in the Nuclear Medicine Department (핵의학과 PET/CT실 방사선작업종사자의 수정체 부위의 등가선량과 흉부의 유효선량의 측정 비교)

  • Son, Sang-Joon;Park, Jeong-Kyu;Jung, Dong-Kyung;Park, Myeong-Hwan
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.42 no.3
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    • pp.209-215
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    • 2019
  • Comparison of the effective dose of the chest and the equivalent dose of the lens site in the radiation workers working at four medical institutions with the PET / CT room located in one metropolitan city and province from April 1 to June 30, 2018 Respectively. Radioactive medicine were measured at the time of dispensing and at the time of injection. In this experiment, the average dispensing time per patient was 5.7 minutes and the average injection time was 3.1 minutes. The equivalent dose at the lens site was $0.78{\mu}Sv/h$ for 1 mCi, and the effective dose for chest was $0.18{\mu}Sv/h$ per 1 mCi. The equivalent dose at the lens site during injection was $0.88{\mu}Sv/h$ per mCi and the effective dose of chest was $0.20{\mu}Sv/h$ per mCi. The daily effective dose of the chest was $0.9{\pm}0.6{\mu}Sv$ and the equivalent dose of the lens site was $3.6{\pm}1.4{\mu}Sv$ during daily dosing for 20 days. The effective dose of the chest during the day was $0.6{\pm}0.5{\mu}Sv$ and the equivalent dose of the lens was $2.2{\pm}1.0{\mu}Sv$. At the time of dispensing, the equivalent dose of the lens was $0.187{\pm}0.035mSv$, the effective dose of the chest was $0.137{\pm}0.055mSv$, the equivalent dose of the lens was $0.247{\pm}0.057mSv$, and the effective dose of the monthly chest was $0.187{\pm}0.021mSv$. As a result of the corresponding sample test, the equivalent dose and the effective dose of the chest, the effective dose of the chest, the effective dose of the chest, the effective dose of the chest, The equivalent dose of the lens and the effective dose of the chest were statistically significant (p<0.05) with a significance of 0.000. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the equivalent dose and the effective dose of the chest, the equivalent dose of the lens at the time of injection, and the effective dose of the chest at 0.138 and 0.230, respectively.

Assessment of risks for breast cancer in a flight attendant exposed to night shift work and cosmic ionizing radiation: a case report

  • Dong Joon Park;Sungkyun Park;Seong Won Ma;Hoekyeong Seo;Sang Gil Lee;Kyung-Eun Lee
    • Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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    • v.34
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    • pp.5.1-5.10
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    • 2022
  • Background: Some epidemiological studies have estimated exposure among flight attendants with and without breast cancer. However, it is difficult to find a quantitative evaluation of occupational exposure factors related to cancer development individually in the case of breast cancer in flight attendants. That is, most, if not all, epidemiological studies of breast cancer in flight attendants with quantitative exposure estimates have estimated exposure in the absence of individual flight history data. Case presentation: A 41-year-old woman visited the hospital due to a left breast mass after a regular check-up. Breast cancer was suspected on ultrasonography. Following core biopsy, she underwent various imaging modalities. She was diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type (estrogen receptor positive in 90%, progesterone receptor positive in 3%, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu equivocal) with histologic grade 3 and nuclear grade 3 in the left breast. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to reduce the tumor size before surgery. However, due to serious chemotherapy side effects, the patient opted for alternative and integrative therapies. She joined the airline in January, 1996. Out of all flights, international flights and night flights accounted for 94.9% and 26.2, respectively. Night flights were conducted at least four times per month. Moreover, based on the virtual computer program CARI-6M, the estimated dose of cosmic radiation exposure was 78.81 mSv. There were no other personal triggers or family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: This case report shows that the potentially causal relationship between occupational harmful factors and the incidence of breast cancer may become more pronounced when night shift workers who work continuously are exposed to cosmic ionizing radiation. Therefore, close attention and efforts are needed to adjust night shift work schedules and regulate cosmic ionizing radiation exposure.

Evaluation of Radiation Shielding Rate of Lead Aprons in Nuclear Medicine (핵의학과에서 사용하는 납 앞치마의 방사선 차폐율 평가)

  • Han, Sang-Hyun;Han, Beom-Heui;Lee, Sang-Ho;Hong, Dong-Heui;Kim, Gi-Jin
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.40 no.1
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    • pp.41-47
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    • 2017
  • Considering that the X-ray apron used in the department of radiology is also used in the department of nuclear medicine, the study aimed to analyze the shielding rate of the apron according to types of radioisotopes, thus ${\gamma}$ ray energy, to investigate the protective effects. The radioisotopes used in the experiment were the top 5 nuclides in usage statistics $^{99m}Tc$, $^{18}F$, $^{131}I$, $^{123}I$, and $^{201}Tl$, and the aprons were lead equivalent 0.35 mmPb aprons currently under use in the department of nuclear medicine. As a result of experiments, average shielding rates of aprons were $^{99m}Tc$ 31.59%, $^{201}Tl$ 68.42%, and $^{123}I$ 76.63%. When using an apron, the shielding rate of $^{131}I$ actually resulted in average dose rate increase of 33.72%, and $^{18}F$ showed an average shielding rate of -0.315%, showing there was almost no shielding effect. As a result, the radioisotopes with higher shielding rate of apron was in the descending order of $^{123}I$, $^{201}Tl$, $^{99m}Tc$, $^{18}F$, $^{131}I$. Currently, aprons used in the nuclear medicine laboratory are general X-ray aprons, and it is thought that it is not appropriate for nuclear medicine environment that utilizes ${\gamma}$ rays. Therefore, development of nuclear medicine exclusive aprons suitable for the characteristics of radioisotopes is required in consideration of effective radiation protection and work efficiency of radiation workers.